So you want to create public GAs, but you don't want bots and auto-join scripts to enter? Good. Just post a comment in this thread with a link to an invite-only giveaway. The idea is very simple and is really not different from many (most?) of the other threads in the forum, except that you don't need to invest much time or thought into it. Just post the link in a comment, and you're done :-)

A few additional guidelines:

  • Feel free to obfuscate the link to make it more difficult for bots/scripts to enter. This is completely optional and may not make much of a difference, because the forums are probably not as infested with bots and auto-join scripts as public giveaways (see example).
  • You may use itstoohard.com, sgtools.info or other sites as filters to the link, but do try to keep things easy (for humans) to enter.
  • Don't feel obligated to write anything to accompany the giveaway link. If you have stuff to share beyond just the link, you probably should create a dedicated thread for it. Needless to say, you can also write it here, but it's not required.
  • Cross-posting giveaways your posted in other threads is fine, as long as they are your giveaways.
  • If you want to add a dynamic signature showing the game name, giveaway end date and current number of entries, but without revealing the URL to bots, you can use this tool created by Reforced. It takes the signature created by SG and provides you with a new URL that hides the original giveaway address. Just add it to your comment using the regular format for posting images: ![](URL)
  • Just like public GAs typically have a lot of entries, there's no need to maintain a low number of entries in GAs posted here. If you want to give especially good odds to people who enter and still get CV, you may want to instead consider posting the link here (and then remove it when you have your 5 entries). This is not needed here in this thread. The more (humans) the merrier :-)
  • The best way to bump this thread is by posting a link to your own invite-only giveaway. With that said, if the thread drops from the first page a regular "Bump" would also be appreciated.

I'm trying to find how serious the issue with bots really is. So far the results don't really prove things one way or another. Here are some stats from my latest experiment:

Game: Space Trader: Merchant Marine
Number of giveaways: 5
Period: 3 days

Giveaway # Level Type Number of entries Winner's Sent:Won Reroll needed?
1 Level 0+ Public 891 0:82 No
2 Level 0+ Invite only, direct link 55 4:47 No
3 Level 0+ Invite only, SGTools (no restrictions) 48 6:71 No
4 Level 0+ Invite only, shortened URL, captcha-free 50 1:205 No
5 Level 0+ Invite only, shortened URL with "I'm not a robot" captcha 54 162:86 No

Yet some more stats:

Giveaway game Period Level Type Number of entries Winner's Sent:Won Reroll needed?
Tales from the Void 5 days Level 0+ Public 755 0:37 No
Tales from the Void 5 days Level 0+ Invite only, obfuscated link 183 42:514 No
Hyper Box 4 days Level 0+ Public 554 0:32 No
Hyper Box 4 days Level 0+ Invite only, obfuscated link 193 178:188 No
Ace Combat Assault Horizon 3 days Level 0+ Public 1596 0:28 Yes
Ace Combat Assault Horizon 3 days Level 0+ Invite only, obfuscated link 234 88:107 No
7 years ago*

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Since I closed that other topic after thinking about it and realizing it was a stupid one to make, I thought I'd share that GA here as well.

4 years ago
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4 years ago
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lvl 5 required

4 years ago
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4 years ago
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87% Positive Reviews (297) - Reduced CV - Achievements - Linux - Mac - Casual, Indie, Strategy

Each Consciousness must emigrate
And lose its neighbor once

... gonna migrate!

4 years ago
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QuipBump!

4 years ago
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bump

4 years ago
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Bump

4 years ago
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Bump and meow - looks fun!

4 years ago
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bump!

4 years ago
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Bump!

4 years ago
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bump

4 years ago
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Bump and thanks

4 years ago
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Boom

4 years ago
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Bump

4 years ago
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Bump!

4 years ago
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Wishlist bump?

4 years ago
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Bump!

4 years ago
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4 years ago
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Bump and thanks !

4 years ago
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thank you, bump :-)

4 years ago
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I hope this is OK to post here - it's not invite only, but because it's a DLC, most might miss it.
The base game is free, so you'd have to add it to see it by default (see link in giveaway description)
https://www.steamgifts.com/giveaway/Dt5da/

4 years ago
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I didnt have the base installed and could still see your GA.

4 years ago
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i mean on the front page. they don't pop up automatic unless synced ownership, i thought. links work for everyone.

4 years ago
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I saw it on the frontpage before here. I thought it was normal to see DLC GAs of games I didnt have the base for...

4 years ago
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Oh, that's great to know then! I wasn't sure how to "view it from the outside" to verify. I was assuming also based on lower entries for similar GA's like these.

4 years ago
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Some folks don't bother to check the DLCs. Newbies and noobs may also ignore them. Mostly, however, I believe, bots usually can't enter them.

4 years ago
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Its an option in your settings. most people will not see this DLC if set. Even if wishlisted. I had this DLC wishlisted and would never had seen it other then here. It also said I can't enter since I don't have the base. not sure why I did that. Its now in my Lib and I have entered.

Once I added the base to my Lib then the GA popped up in my wishlist search. It was missing before.

So I for one am glad you posted it here. :)

4 years ago
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Ahhh, I never turned that setting on and see all DLC GAs.

4 years ago
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There is an option to hide all DLCs from games you don't own

4 years ago
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4 years ago*
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https://www.steamgifts.com/giveaway/uVIj4/subterrain - Starts May 19, 2019, 4:51am EDT

4 years ago*
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Thanks!

4 years ago
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Just to say, the key adds also 1 extra copy as a gift for your friends ;)

4 years ago
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thank you :)

4 years ago
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thank you!

4 years ago
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Thanks:D

4 years ago
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thanks

4 years ago
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Deleted

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4 years ago
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4 years ago
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View attached image.
4 years ago
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upper!

4 years ago
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Thank You & Bump =)

4 years ago
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Thanks :)

4 years ago
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Thanks and bump!

4 years ago
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Deleted

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4 years ago
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View attached image.
4 years ago
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4 years ago
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What if you lie about the throne of lies?

4 years ago
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Well ... the truth is that I always lie.

4 years ago
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Cannot compute!
XXXXxcccXzzzz! BBBzzzZZZBBZZZZ!

4 years ago
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4 years ago
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But here's my number?

4 years ago
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This is crazy.

4 years ago
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Dont ban me maybe?
XD

4 years ago
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View attached image.
4 years ago
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Oh oh. This is my luck. I am singing and they laugh at me.
Love you back!

4 years ago
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Hahaha, I love the exchange ^^ <3

View attached image.
4 years ago
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4 years ago
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Up

4 years ago
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Bump thanks

4 years ago
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Happy Sunday.

4 years ago
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Happy sundae to you too!

View attached image.
View attached image.
4 years ago
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View attached image.
4 years ago
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Happy Sunday/Monday to you as well! :-)

4 years ago
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Happy Sunday :)

4 years ago
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4 years ago
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thank you anyway ^^

4 years ago
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bump.

4 years ago
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4 years ago
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Bump

4 years ago
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bump :3 and thanks

4 years ago
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Bumpo

4 years ago
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Thank you bump. :)

4 years ago
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Bump!

4 years ago
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bump also cause of rules
<3

4 years ago
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bump!

4 years ago
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Bump!

4 years ago
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Thanks & Bump!

4 years ago
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Bump

4 years ago
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4 years ago
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4 years ago
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Bump

4 years ago
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bump thanks :)

4 years ago
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you're welcome!

4 years ago
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buuuump

4 years ago
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bump

4 years ago
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Deleted

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4 years ago
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Bump

4 years ago
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Bump and thanks!

4 years ago
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Bump

4 years ago
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Thank you and bump :)

4 years ago
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4 years ago
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Bumpo!

4 years ago
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dumpo!

4 years ago
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Bump

4 years ago
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4 years ago
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Bump to bump ;)

4 years ago
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4 years ago
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thank you and bump :)

4 years ago
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Awesome giveaway! Thanks for sharing it :).

4 years ago
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Thank you

4 years ago
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https://www.steamgifts.com/giveaway/2hDri/cook-serve-delicious

please don't be a bot (-...-) and mark as received that's my two wishes

4 years ago
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4 years ago
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Beautiful indeed :)

4 years ago
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Bump

4 years ago
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bump

4 years ago
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